Brad Shear, executive director of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, announces a reward for the information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who mutilated and abandoned three puppies, leaving them to die on railroad tracks in the City of Albany last Saturday during a press conference at the organization's Menands shelter Friday. (Danielle Sanzone/The Record)

MENANDS -- The smallest of the three puppies found on railroad tracks in Albany - which weighed in at just 1 ½ pounds - died on Tuesday. The other two - who, in comparison, weigh about 3 pounds each - are now stable and will be looked after by foster families starting this weekend.

The grey pups, just four-weeks old, have not been named yet, said Brad Shear, executive director of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. He said the foster families would likely name the puppy pit bulls.

When they were found, each had severe injuries to the left rear paw: one had a hole through the paw, another had two digits removed, and the third had the entire paw removed. While the two latter puppies are now stable though bandaged, the small puppy with a hole through the paw did not survive.

"The puppy was actually starting to do better and then her heart stopped and she could not be resuscitated," Shear explained at a Friday press conference, during which a $7,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the mutilation and abandonment of the puppies was announced. The three puppies were found by railway workers next to the railroad bridge which crosses North Pearl Street last Saturday.

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The female puppies received veterinary care and treatment for malnutrition, dehydration, and infections. An orthopedic specialist has also examined them and said the dismembered puppy could even receive a prosthetic limb, said Shear.

"The last few days they have really bounced back. They're acting like normal and like nothing ever happened," he added.

He said that three puppies is a small litter for pit bulls, so there may be other pups from the same mother out there.

About $2,500 worth of the reward came from the New York branch of The Humane Society of the U.S. The balance of he $7,000 came from individual donations that usually ranged from $5 to $20.

"The person who did this is still out there," said Brian Shapiro, New York regional director of The Humane Society of the U.S. He and other speakers noted that there is a clear connection between the abuse of animals and domestic abuse, among other crimes.

"I don't know what would possess someone to do something like this," said Albany County District Attorney David Soares. "We want to apprehend and find this individual. The reward will certainly help."

He could not, however, specify what charges or penalty those responsible could face. "They will face the inside of a jail cell," he stated. "Someone out there has information on this."

The Humane Society's Guardian Angel Fund has been set up to take donations for the extreme medical care of animals in need and donations are still being accepted for the reward incentive. More information about the Humane Society can be found at mohawkhumane.org or by calling 434-8128.

Officials said some tips have already been received about the case.

Anyone with information about this animal abuse is asked to call the Albany Police Department at 462-8039.